Meanwhile, the Opposition parties attempted to reach out to JD (U) President and Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, who had pledged support for NDA candidate Ram Nath Kovind.
Among the non-NDA chief ministers who have announced their party's support to the Dalit leader from Uttar Pradesh - K Chandrashekar Rao (TRS) of Telangana and Edappadi K Palaniswami (AIADMK) of Tamil Nadu - were also there.
Speaking to reporters after filing the nomination papers, Mr Kovind said, office of president is the highest constitutional post and in the past it has been adorned by eminent personalities like Dr Rajendra Prasad, Dr Radhkrishnan, Dr A P J Abdul Kalam.
The Bihar chief minister said, "There should be a strategy for the 2019 general election". All the parties' leaders will come today and what steps are to be taken will be decided. Hence, till there is no alliance, there is no question of unanimous decision on presidential nominee or any other agenda.
Earlier in the day, Mr. Lalu had said he would request Mr. Nitish to amend his "historical blunder" of supporting the Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) nominee for the Presidential poll.
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The complete itinerary of Kovind's travel is still being finalised as it will also depend on the availability of state leaders, including NDA chief ministers and others supporting him, the sources said. Let them (Lalu) say, whatever they want to say.
Earlier in the day, after reaching Patna from Delhi, Mr. Lalu told journalists that he did not know what had transpired between Mr. Nitish and the BJP that he had suddenly made a decision to support the latter's Presidential nominee.
Nitish was at the residence of Lalu to attend an Iftar party hosted by him.
"Even I am proud of Bihar ki beti". Kovind does not originally hails from the RSS (Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh); rather he started his political journey under the guidance of Morarji Desai. "It is a matter of pride for us that governor of Bihar would become president of India".
The JD (U) had yesterday rejected its ally and RJD chief Lalu Prasad's request to reconsider its support to the NDA's presidential pick, saying its stand was based on merit and it would stick to it. "Suggestions from all the parties will be heard and then a decision would be taken", Kharge told ANI. However, it would in no way have any impact on Grand Alliance in Bihar.
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